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TRICONTINENTAL DIALOGUES
« Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry »
WHY THE TRICONTINENTAL DIALOGUES?
To addrees the theme: « Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: European Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry »
The rivalry between the United States and China is reshaping the foundations of international relations and the global economy. From contested supply chains to divergent technological standards and mounting security concerns, the competition between the world’s two largest powers is no longer confined to diplomacy and defense—it directly affects corporate strategies, investment flows, and business resilience. For companies operating in this fragmented world, understanding the implications of this rivalry has become a strategic necessity.
To address this challenge, the ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business has launched a Tricontinental Dialogue. Drawing on ESSEC’s unique footprint in Europe, Africa, and Asia, this initiative fosters a cross-continental conversation between business leaders, policymakers, and academics, offering a comparative and forward-looking perspective on how companies can navigate a fractured global order.
The Dialogue unfolds in three stages:
- A European Conference, held on ESSEC’s Cergy campus in September 2025, brought together 330 participants, seven high-level keynote speakers, and media partner L’Express.
- An African Conference, to be hosted at ESSEC Africa in Rabat on April 2, 2026, will explore how African economies and businesses adapt to great-power competition.
- An Asian Conference, scheduled for June, 10 2026 at ESSEC Asia Pacific in Singapore, will conclude the Dialogue by examining Asia’s pivotal role at the heart of US–China tensions.
Through this tricontinental approach, the Institute seeks to provide global business leaders with rigorous insights and actionable perspectives on navigating geoeconomic rivalry in an era of profound transformation.
AFRICAN CONFERENCE 2026
« Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: African Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry »
April 2, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm | ESSEC Business School - Rabat Campus
- Welcome Remarks Prof. Hugues LEVECQ, Deputy Dean for Africa – ESSEC Business School
- Introductory Remarks - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Academic Co-Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
- Keynote #1: “Navigating Between Giants: African CEOs' Path to Growth in a Fragmented World”
- Keynote #2: “Building Africa’s Economic Sovereignty: Balancing Global Partnerships and Local Priorities”
- Keynote #3: “Africa’s CEO Playbook for a Fragmented World: Competing, Partnering, and Leading Through Uncertainty”
- Concluding Remarks - Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
ASIAN CONFERENCE 2026
« Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: Asian Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry »
June 10, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm | ESSEC Business School - Asia Pacific Campus in Singapore
- Welcome Remarks Prof. Reetika GUPTA, Deputy Dean for Asia Pacific – ESSEC Business School
- Introductory Remarks - Prof. Cedomir NESTOROVIC, Academic Co-Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
- Keynote #1: “Economic Resilience in a Fragmented World: Singapore’s Perspective on Global Geoeconomic Shifts”
- Keynote #2: “Geoeconomic Headwinds and Asian Resilience: Navigating Growth in an Era of Uncertainty"
- Keynote #3: "Geopolitics of Semi-conductors: the Heart of Great Power Rivalry?"
- Keynote #4: "From Risk Management to Corporate Strategy: How Geopolitics Is Rewriting the Global Playbook for Business Leaders"
- Keynote #5: "Financial Institutions in a Fragmented World: Rethinking Risk, Operational Resilience, and Settlement Systems"
- Keynote #6: "Corporate Purpose in a Divided World: Advancing the UN Global Compact amid Geopolitical Tensions"
- Moderation: Thomas FRIANG, Executive Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
- Conclusions - Prof. Aurélien COLSON, Academic Co-Director – ESSEC Institute for Geopolitics & Business
- Final Address - Prof. Vincenzo VINZI, Dean & President – ESSEC Business School
EUROPEAN CONFERENCE 2025
« Geopolitics Meets The Boardroom: European Businesses Navigating US-China Rivalry »
September 17, 2025 | ESSEC Business School - Cergy Campus
Negotiating under Pressure: Shifting Business Environment Amid Sanctions, Tech Controls and National Security Screens
Dorothée ROUZET, Chief Economist of the Treasury – French Republic
Geopolitics of AI: European Firms Navigating Tech Crossfire and Twin Disruptions from Silicon Valley and Zhongguancun
Henri VERDIER, Ambassador for Digital Affairs – French Republic
Strategic Squeeze: Europe’s Economic Repositioning in the Age of US–China Rivalry
Clarisse MAGNIN-MALLEZ, Senior Partner and Managing Partner for France – McKinsey & Company
Navigating US–China Rivalry: Geostrategy in Practice for European Businesses
Famke KRUMBMÜLLER, Partner & EMEIA Leader of the Geostrategic Business Group – EY Parthenon
Geopolitics of the Backlash: How Business Navigates Disruptions and Power Plays — Five Years into the 2030 Agenda
Nils PEDERSEN, Executive Director – UN Global Compact Network France
Geopolitics of Currencies: Europe's Way Amid Power Shifts and Financial Instability
Jean-Patrick YANITCH, Partner & EMEA Lead for Public Sector – Oliver Wyman
Energy, Power and Rivalry: Why the Energy Transition Is Now a Strategic Battlefield for Business
Erkki MAILLARD, Senior Vice-President for Public and International Affairs – EDF
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